The importance of a Power of Attorney

A durable Power of Attorney (POA) is a document giving legal authorization for someone else to act on one’s behalf.  This power is usually actually used only when and if the grantor of the POA is incapacitated, but it can be useful in many other ways also.  It can save time and money for the person granting the POA as well as a lot of heartache for the loved ones of the grantor if that person is incapacitated.

 

 

One should always be very careful when choosing an attorney in fact, because that person can make financial and other decisions just as the grantor would; therefore, if the Attorney in fact has evil intentions, he or she could bring financial ruin to the grantor.  The grantor usually chooses his spouse or child to be the attorney in fact.  This document is recorded in the Register of Deeds office, so it is public record.